Matt Wright

MK Dons squandered a half-time lead against Doncaster Rovers, as Matty Blair's strike condemned them to an infuriating defeat at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The first half was as good as anything they've produced this season, after they flew out of the blocks with Chuks Aneke's goal giving them the perfect start.

It's no exaggeration that Dons could have been 4-0 up with just a quarter of the game gone, with Doncaster goalkeeper Ian Lawlor deserving credit for keeping his side in it with a string of saves.

But the bottom line is Robbie Neilson's side failed to take advantage of their hosts being at sixes and sevens and paid the ultimate price after they eventually came to their senses.

After seeing the game turned on its head, there was no way back this time for Dons, who fell to their first league defeat in five games, having ridden their luck in the pask week.

After the line-up against Southend had a somewhat depleted look to it in midweek, Neilson was able to welcome back George Williams, Ed Upson and Ethan Ebanks-Landell.

Joe Walsh, Callum Brittain and Aiden Nesbitt stepped aside as a result, while Conor McGrandles started in place of Gboly Ariyibi, who had replaced from the bench at half-time on Tuesday.

The reinforcements had an instant impact, as in the third minute a cross from Williams wasn't properly cleared and fell nicely for Aneke.

There was still plenty to do for the attacker on the edge of the area, but he made it look easy in controlling the ball before quickly rifling a shot into the bottom corner.

Some more uncertainty at the back led to the Dons being awarded a free kick just outside the box, with Upson's low effort pushed away by Lawlor.

The former Manchester City stopper was keeping his side in the game at this point, as he denied Aneke twice in a matter of seconds with the Rovers defence all at sea - all this in the first 15 minutes.

You were starting to wonder if the visitors were going to regret not making the most of these early gifts, not least when awful clearing header by Andy Butler fell to Scott Golbourne, whose volley hit the inside of the post.

Chances didn't come quite as freely for the rest of the half, with Kieran Agard unable to take advantage of beating Lawlor to a loose ball, as Doncaster were able to cover their 'keeper.